keeping batteries charged

smkettner wrote:

Sam Spade wrote:
I was reading the book (gasp) for my Winnie and it specifically says to NOT leave it plugged into shore power for long periods of non-use.

Well that is interesting. What converter do you have?

I'm guessing one of the cheapest ones ever made. ;)

It is a Parallax PPS Series 7300, Model 7345. Made in China.

With it running, the voltage at the batteries reads 13.5 all the time; battery half dead or fully charged, same 13.5.
Well, that's not necessarily true; I don't know for sure that I've ever had it really full.

In the summer when I driveway camp, I used to run a 75' outdoor extension and use the mentioned adapter to supply power, but now have solar. However, in the winter, I use the extension to a outlet multiplier to power a Battery Minder to the battery bank and use the disconnect switch. I also use the same extension with timer for the truck's block heater which is parked next to the trailer.

Sam Spade wrote:
I was reading the book (gasp) for my Winnie and it specifically says to NOT leave it plugged into shore power for long periods of non-use.

Well that is interesting. What converter do you have?

smkettner wrote:
Charging is different.

Different than what, exactly ?

I'm not going to get into a pointless argument.

I was reading the book (gasp) for my Winnie and it specifically says to NOT leave it plugged into shore power for long periods of non-use.

When I get some time I will be shopping for a modern converter; two or three stage.

Isn't the OP interested in having the rig plugged in and then having the ability to go out periodically operate moderate loads without worrying about running the batteries down?

"Home" could be Fargo North Dakota or Stovepipe Wells, Nevada. It's kinda tougher to help someone when a person is forced to guess things. Where it's really cold is another universe away from the subtropical southern climate.

A 12/3 extension cord can power a converter, plus heater and lights plus radio.

I would leave the cord plugged in the whole time I was in the rig, plus leave it connected overnight, if it has to be removed.

Unless it's a really ancient trailer with a Fred Flintstone converter, the converter should handle occasional use just fine. Problems can arise if a person is careless and leaves loads switched in then has a break in the power cord for some reason. This will ruin the batteries, utterly, especially if it freezes.

Hah! I remember buying those 100 feet orange 12/3 extension cords in Costco for $39.95 How times change!

Charging is different.

Floating you may need to add water every six months at 13.6 volts vs twelve months at 13.2 volts.
Still not really an issue. Many many RVs operate just fine at 13.6 continuous.

If maintenance becomes an issue by all means spend some money but no harm to just plug it in. By the way people talk around here most RVs will not function at all as built.

smkettner wrote:
Nothing wrong with single stage. Especially over the Winter.

Yes there is.

When you have a single state charger, the voltage setting is a compromise somewhere between the max. safe voltage for fast charging, something around 14.8, and a safe float voltage which is around 13.2.

I am presently thinking about changing out the single stage in my Winnie. The voltage ALWAYS shows 13.5; too low for a speedy charge and too high for long term float. I am having to run my gen too much to recover a good charge after 12-24 hours use.

NinerBikes wrote:
I fully top charge my battery before storage, then completely disconnect it over the winter. I then fully charge it in the spring, or before going on any trip.

I don't subscribe to trickle charging constantly for storage. Fully charge and disconnect.

In places where there's winter and cold, that's a perfectly reasonable option.

In places where it's warm, leaving a lead acid battery disconnected for a few months will cause it to be substantially discharged, quite possibly to the point of doing permanent damage. The rate of self-discharge is very much dependent on the temperature of the battery; it approximately doubles for each ten degree Celsius increase in temperature.

I fully top charge my battery before storage, then completely disconnect it over the winter. I then fully charge it in the spring, or before going on any trip.

I don't subscribe to trickle charging constantly for storage. Fully charge and disconnect.

Nothing wrong with single stage. Especially over the Winter.